Reaching out for mental health care may be the right next step for you, but that does not mean it is an easy next step. Certain barriers can keep people from seeking the help they deserve, and some people bump up against more roadblocks than others. African Americans, for example, receive therapy at half the rate as Caucasians do even though they suffer from mental illness at the same rates, according to a 2010 study. A number of factors contribute to the inequality. Accessibility and quality of care are two significant barriers to African Americans receiving the mental health care they deserve. In a 2012 radio interview, Psychiatrist Dr. William Lawson expounded, “Dr. Satcher in his surgeon general’s report noted that there was less accessibility of mental health services for people of color for a variety of reasons. Part of it is that many of the systems simply aren’t located proximity to where people of color are.” Dr. Lawson went on, “Part of it is that many professionals simply don’t know how to diagnose properly African-Americans.” Dr. Lawson told a story of when he was in medical school and was taught that African Americans do not develop depression—a gross untruth. Many within the African American community and the mental health care community are working to correct this history of inaccessible and inadequate care, and they are fighting for a better future where African Americans receive the mental health care they deserve.

Thriveworks Conway believes that everyone deserves access to quality mental health care. Our office hopes to remove roadblocks and make it easier for African Americans to reach out for therapy.

Building Trust between a Therapist and Client

When Jinneh was in high school, she struggled with depression after her mother died. When a mental health professional prescribed something for her depression, Jinneh’s family and friends did not trust the counselor’s intentions. They convinced Jinneh not to fill the medication. In college, Jinneh was still depressed when her roommate recommended she start therapy again. With treatment, Jinneh’s depression healed, and now, she works in the mental health field. Her story is told in The Washington Post’s article, “Therapists say African Americans are increasingly seeking help for mental illness.” Jinneh’s story is not unique. Many others have not trusted mental health professionals, but that trust is growing.

Therapists have to establish trust with their clients for mental health care to be effective. In many ways, trust can be built before therapy begins. At Thriveworks Conway, we believe that transparency is a big part of trust. We want to be transparent about what therapy involves and to equip future clients with information about what they can expect from our professionals.

First and foremost, our office provides individualized care. Each client has unique experiences, goals, strengths, weaknesses, hopes, and dreams. As clients become comfortable with the therapeutic process, they can delve deeper and deeper as they set the pace. Along the way, therapists are guides, working at a pace that clients feel comfortable. It is the therapist’s job to create a space where clients feel safe and where they can share honestly about anything, including their cultural, ethnic, and racial context. At Thriveworks Conway, our professionals understand that an individual’s context matters for their mental health. In therapy, African Americans often work through difficult topics they may be facing such as…

Discrimination

Career advancement

Racial trauma

Anxiety

Grief counseling

Divorce

Sexual identity issues

Depression

Child therapy

Obsessive-compulsive tendencies

Anger management

Executive coaching

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Substance use

Eating disorders

Suspected abuse of a child

Infidelity

Addiction

Psychiatric testing

Job loss

Couples and marriage counseling

Another area where the therapists at Thriveworks Conway seek to earn trust with their African American clients is by working with their community support. Religious leaders, family members, and friends can all play a part in holistic care. Therapists and community members are all on the same team, working toward the same goal—an individual’s well-being. Each has a unique and important part to play. Religious leaders can support an individual’s mental health in ways that therapists cannot. Therapists can support an individual’s mental health in ways that friends cannot. Family can provide support in ways that pastors cannot. Friends can give care that counselor cannot. Every aspect of an individual’s support community is important.

Setting Up an Appointment for Counseling at Thriveworks Conway

When you read through the list of issues that may be discussed at therapy, you may have recognized something. You also may not have recognized something. It would be impossible to list every challenge people face. Whatever may be happening in your life right now, know that you are not alone. Help is available. If you are thinking of going to therapy, Thriveworks Conway has appointments available. Our therapists are licensed professionals who care. We know that life is challenging, and so, we think that scheduling therapy should not be. When you call our office to make an appointment, here are a few things you can expect…

Felt very comfortable

Felt very comfortable with my therapist. Witch is very had for me. Really need a Phyc. Though. Thank you

- Makayla

Thriveworks Counseling Conway

Great

★★★★★

I am seeing Dr. Sears. We've had something tremendously traumatic happen in our family. Dr. Sears has a very g...Read more

entle way of helping me to make sense of what happened. He takes an approach that is holistic in that he addresses emotional and spiritual aspects. He has been incredibly respectful of me and very encouraging. I highly recommend him. He has such great experience that he pulls from. I find this very comforting.

Beyond helpful

is Amazing!

★★★★★

The professional counselors and coaches at are extremely professional and have their clients' best interests a...Read more

t heart. From the moment you walk in the front door, everyone makes you feel comfortable and welcome. I have taken the Myers-Briggs personality test and am currently receiving professional coaching. I have already made changes to my daily routine that has given me more energy and more time for my family. I directly associate those positive life changes to the coaching I've received at Thriveworks, and highly recommend Curtiss and his staff!

Changed my business

★★★★★

The staff at are great. I became a networking partner with Curtiss Robinson and with some executive coaching m...Read more

y business is booming. I enjoy my time at as well as all the helpful tips and tricks I've been shown to help increase my own business. The atmosphere and office are.inviting and friendly with very little wait time to see who you are there to see. Exellent group of people and highly recommended.